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F. J. ROBERTS. DUST GUARD FOR UAR AXLE BOXES.

Patented My '7. 1889.

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have a free and unobstructed play.

UNITED STAT-Es PATENT OFFICE.

FABIAN J. ROBERTS, OE DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE F. J. ROB- ERTSR. R. DUST GUARD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

DUST-GUARD 4FOR SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.402,858, dated May '7, 1889.

Appncation Alea March 10, 1887.

To @ZZ whom, t irl/ay concern.-

Be it known that I, FABIAN J. ROBERTS, of Detroit, in the county ofWVayne and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Dust-Guards;` and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of this speciication.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements indust-guards for caraxle boxes.

The invention is designed to be an improvement upon the device patentedto me in Patent No. 307,682, issued November 4, 1884, for a similarpurpose, aswell as upon all devices heretofore known and used.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of the various partsand their combination, as more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure l is an elevation of my improved device with one side of theinclosing-case removed. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the ringdetached from the case and opened up. Fig. 3 is a vertical centralsection. Fig. 4 is a similar View with the device in place in a car-axlebox.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this speciiication, Arepresents one of the walls of the inclosing-case, having at each corner a block or riser, B, so arranged that the other wall of the said casecan be secured thereto, therebyforming the ent-ire inclosingcase, withinwhich the operating parts can C is a ring with open ends, as shown at a,cut from leather, a single piece of sole-leather being used for thepurpose, in order that there shall be but one thickness necessary.

D is a wire spring having projecting ends or arms 1J, so curved attheirouter ends thatY they may be interlocked, as shown. This wire springincloses the outer periphery of the leather ring, to which it is securedby means of thin metallic clips c and suitable rivets, d, the open orinterrupted portion of both the ring and the spring being coincident.

D is a metallicl cap, which is designed to Serial No. 230,329. (Nomodell) cover the lower portion. of the leather ring and spring. Thiscap is rectangular, so far as its ends and one side are concerned, whilethe other side is cut in a curve to conform to the shape of the centralhole, E, through the inclosing-case, which is adapted to surround theaxle M of the car. Rivets e secure the cap to the leather ring and forma point of resistance against the expansion of the leather ring or thewire spring in that direction.

F is a metallic cap adapted to inclose the upper part of theinclosing-case and the arms of the spring to prevent the admission ofdust at that point, and this cap is provided with a iiange, 71.adaptedto rest upon the top of the 65 axle-boxand prevent displacement.

The object of having the leather ring and Wire spring interrupted oropen-ended is to allow it to be expanded or contracted at will. Theextended arms of the spring, being disen- 7ol gaged, allow the parts to`contract to compel a close fitting around the axle, while the lockingtogether of these arms expands the ring and spring to allow these partsto pass over the head or iiange of the axle. As soon as this 75 is donethe arms should be disengaged, when the consequent contraction willcompel the necessary close fitting to the axle. The device beinginclosed Within the case has room therein to move with any of thevibratory 8o motions of the axle Without disturbing the relativepositions of each to the other. The leather ring and the wire spring areso constructed that when contracted, as above described, a nearlyperfect circle is formed that will wipe the axle all around itsperiphery. When the arms of the wire spring are engaged, the shape ofthe ring is slightly oblong and does not form a true circle.

Importance is attached to the cap D', as it 9o serves three importantfunctions: First, it 1 forms a guide for the wiper; second, it i'lllsthe case and prevents thedust from getting in, and, third, it takes thewear off of the leather in the Vibrations up and down of the guard, andhence adds materially to the lifev of the wiper.

What I claim asV my invention is l. In a dust-guard for car-axle boxes,the combination of the following elements: an roo openended ring of asingle thickness of leather, a Wire spring surrounding,` the peripheryof said ring and secured thereto by metallic clips and rivets, and asheet-metal cap embracing the lower portion of such spring and ring,secured to the latter by rivets, substantiallyzts and for the purposesdescribed.

2. The combination, in a dusi'fguard constructed substantially asdescribed, of the leather ring, surrounding spring, metallic cap 1osecured to the lower portion of the ring, and the inclosing-case,substantially as end for the purposes specified.

FABIAN J. ROBERTS.

Witnesses:

H. S. SPRAGUE, T, E. ROBERTSON.

